Nationalism

Nationalism is often stigmatized and misunderstood, especially when it comes to minority nationalism. Some people misguidedly associate all expressions of nationalism to national-socialism, tribalism, and racism.

On the contrary, the origins of modern nationalism in the 18th century point us to the humanist ideals of equality of men, freedom for all peoples, and peaceful relations among free States. Quebec nationalism emerged within the context of the American, French and Latin American revolutions, which saw the independence of most European colonies in America. Unlike the Thirteen British Colonies which fought to maintain the liberties they already enjoyed, Quebec, in 1775, was a conquered country.

In the context of a colonization by a foreign power, the nationalism of a conquered people can be and has often been supported by progressive and popular liberation movement, inspired by the greatest and most universal ideals. In the context of a territorial expansion or consolidation, the nationalism of a strong people can become and has too often been akin to imperialism, inspired by sentiments that shame all of humanity.

Quebec independentists see a very clear distinction between nationalism, today a universal phenomenon, and the exploitation of a people's patriotic sentiment by political rulers who wish to keep themselves in power or gain more of it. Between the self-hatred of the colonized and the chauvinism and hatred of others of the colonizer, there is a balance: self-respect. Self-respect leads to self-confidence and openness to others. When a conquered nation seeks its independence, it is trying to attain this balance.

Nationalism, when combined with despotic and oligarchic rule can be and has too often been disastrous for human beings, there is no denying this. That is why Québec nationalists, from the most conservative to the most progressive, have overwhelmingly rejected, and continue to reject, the use of violence as a means of attaining our national independence. Our most determined political adversaries cannot claim the same.

General

• History: Nationalism by Adam Metcalf, Oswego City School District's Regents Exam Prep Center
• History: Imperialism Thomas Caswell, Oswego City School District's Regents Exam Prep Center
• Internet Modern History Sourcebook: Nationalism, by Ante Cuvalo, Croatian Studies.org
• Croatian Nationalism (Excellent intro)
• The Nationalism Project
• Google Directory: Nationalism

Québec nationalism

• Québec Nationalism and Canadian Federalism, January 2001
• On Redefining the Nation (PDF)
• Québec and Canada at the Crossroads: A Nation within a Nation (PDF)
• Nation-States, National Minorities and The Draft Treaty (PDF)
• "Introduction : Questioning the Ethnic / Civic Dichotomy", in Rethinking Nationalism, Jocelyne Couture, Kai Nielsen et Michel Seymour (dir), Canadian Journal of Philosophy, Supplementary Volume XXII, 1996, 1-60. ISBN 0919491227
• "Toward a Cosmopolitan Law of Peoples: Asserting the rights and obligations of persons and nations", in Michel Seymour (dir), The Fate of the Nation-State, Montréal/Kingston, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2004, pp. 403-411.
• "Collective Rights in Multination States: from Ethical Individualism to the Law of Peoples", dans Michel Seymour (dir), The Fate of the Nation-State, Montréal/Kingston , McGill-Queen's University Press, 2004, pp. 105-129.
• "An Inclusive Nation That Does Not Deny Its origins", in Michel Venne, Vive Quebec! New Thinking And New Approaches To the Quebec Nation, Toronto, James and Company, 2001, p.146-154.
• History of Quebec nationalism by Claude Bélanger
• [Quebec: a modern, pluralist, distinct society Quebec: a modern, pluralist, distinct society] by Will Kymlicka
• The Evolving Parameters of Quebec Nationalism (PDF)
• Separatism and Sound in French Quebec by Mike Chamberlain

Canadian Nationalism

• British Imperialism
• United Empire Loyalists
• Dominion Nationalism
• Canadian Nationalism & anti-Americanism
• Pierre Elliot Trudeau & the demise of liberal Canadian nationalism by Keith Jones, World Socialist Web Site
• The three nations of Canada may tear it apart

See also

• Read books on nationalism